Gray Wisp vs Black Magic
Gray Wisp (Benjamin Moore) and Black Magic (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Gray Wisp reads as green-grey, while Black Magic reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 51-point LRV gap — 54 for Gray Wisp vs 3 for Black Magic — means Gray Wisp will open up a space more effectively. Where Gray Wisp leans green, Black Magic reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 59.1 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gray Wisp vs Black Magic in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Seeing Gray Wisp and Black Magic in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Gray Wisp reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Black Magic.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Gray Wisp returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Dining Room
Dining rooms often rely on warm incandescent or candlelight, which flatters warm undertones and mutes cool ones. The LRV gap is large enough that Gray Wisp will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Black Magic would.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Gray Wisp returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Gray Wisp returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Gray Wisp returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Gray Wisp vs Black Magic Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gray Wisp on one side and Black Magic on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Gray Wisp comparisons
See how Gray Wisp stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
